Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited today said the number of tourists travelling to Gujarat is expected to grow by 20 per cent during 2013-14. "We have seen 13.6 per cent growth in number of tourist visiting Gujarat last year that is around 2.5 crore, we are optimistically targeting the growth to be 20 per cent in 2013-14," TCGL, Managing Director Sanjay Kaul told reporters on the side lines of an event here. Aiming for investment into tourism sector TCGL has identified 39 locations in the state and has called for bids from large operators to put up their projects. "We have identified 39 locations in the state that include beaches, ecotourism projects; we have called for bids from large operators, many of them are interested to put up star hotels and resorts. Basically it is under process," Kaul said.

Stating that things have started taking shape in the tourism sector of the state, that includes development of basic infrastructure he said, only in last 3 to 4 years Gujarat tourism has come in to recognition, investor will only put in money when he or she feels that there is some thing workable, now things have started coming. " "We have managed to make twenty thousand rooms in last three years," he added. TCGL said the state has grown as a major tourist destination to travellers from neighboring states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, specifically from the city of Bangalore- down south.

According to TGCL, out of Rs 385 crores budget allocated for the year, Rs 200 crores has been set aside for infrastructure development and approximately Rs 120 crore for costal tourism development. "There is also Government of India funds, as and when they come in. Along with this we also have temple development related funds getting allocated to the corporation," he added. Sanjay said third phase of 'Khushboo Gujrat ki' campaign with Amitabh Bachchan as the brand ambassador is expected to start in September.